Overhead squeeze molding machine



Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL OVERHEAD SQUEEZE MOLDING momma 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1961 1 n. llc

l" IIIIIL FIG I INVENTOR. EDMOND K. HATCH 8 BY LEON F' MILLER ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL 3,159,285

OVERHEAD SQUEEZE MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 INVENTOR.

EDMOND K. HATCH 8 BY LEON F. MLLER ORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL OVERHEAD SQUEEZE MOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 24, 1961 H6 3 INVENTOR.

EDMOND K. HATCH 8 BY LEON F. MILLER 1 "m W 9 ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL OVERHEAD SQUEEZE MOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 24, 1961 Jud FIG 6 INVENTOR.

EDMOND K. HATCH a BY LEON F. MLLER FIG 5 ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL 3, 6 ,285

OVERHEAD SQUEEZE; MOLDING MACHINE- Filed Aug. 24, 1961 6 Sheetsheet 5 QOOOOO 6000 E INVEfITOR. DMOND K. HATC 8r 8 BY LEON E MLLER -MN QJ V ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 E. K. HATCH ETAL 3,169,285

OVERHEAD SQUEEZEI MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 PUMP MOTOR STARTER 2 9 260 gL? CYCLE START RELAY .SAND BOX FORMRD LSAND BOX REVERSE REVERSE SAND BOX 0M DELAY J'OLT 7 EMPTY smo BOX J L %LL DRAW FRAME DOWN a 3 220 5QUEEZE 23! SQUEEZE HEAD DOWN 2 HOLD sQuEEzE PRESSURE y 238 on DELAY UNLOAD PUMP 4 5LOW DRAW TIMER 0N DELAY W W DRAW FRAME RGLLERS 00m Lof@ W RAW RAW FRALE LP 25 Q La- E7 1 fi- DRAW FRAME u L 245 i l 1}, SQ-EEZE HEAD UP 250 24s Wfifi HOLD PRESSURE ON 252 I 249 INVENTOR.

EDMOND K. HATCH a LEON E MILLER FIG 9 BY owmm mmg ATTORNEYS United States Patent F 3,169,285 OVERHEAD SQUTSEZE MQLDWG MAQHINE.

Edmond K. Hatch, Warrensville Heights, and Leon F.

Miller, Rocky River, Ghio, assignors to The flshorn Manufacturing fiempany, Cleveland, Ghio, a corporation of Qliio Filed Aug. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 133,74) 19 Claims. (Cl. 22-25) This invention relates generally, as indicated, to an overhead squeeze molding machine and more particularly to a machine for making sand molds incorporat ng an overhead mechanical squeeze action and an optional jolt.

' Heretofore, it has been proposed to provide an overhead squeeze molding machine wherein the ram which provides ingvertically extending ram. Additionally, with suchmachine, it is possible to provide an optional jolt without having to combine a squeeze ram therewith. Furthermore, the operation is much cleaner because the squeeze ram is positioned above the sand and sand fill.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide an overhead squeeze molding machine wherein only the squeeze head as opposed to the squeeze ram is reciprocated into and out of operative position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such framework and providing a protective covering for an overhead squeeze molding machine which incorporates an optional jolt action.

It is a still further object to provide a foundry/molding machine having an extremely fast cycle of operation.

It is yet another object to provide a foundry molding machine wherein the charging of the machine with the sand places the flask in proper position.

Yet another object is the provision of an overhead squeeze molding machine wherein the ram is positioned above the sand squeeze thus lengthening the life of the machine.

A still further object is the provision of apparatus for quickly and easily assembling a mold box and pattern plate in position for an optional jolt action and a subsequent overhead squeeze.

It is yet a further object to provide such apparatus which will quickly facilitate the drawing of the pattern from the mold and the discharge of the finished mold from the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

335%,235 YPatented Feb. 16, 1965 ice In said annexed drawings; FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention .show ing in phantom lines the squeeze head in its optional nonoperative position; I Q 7 j FIG. 2 is an end elevation of such machine asseen from the left in FIG. 1 partially broken away;

FlGQ3 is an endelcvati'on' of such machine as seen from the right in FIG; 1; 5

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of such machine;

FIG. Sis an enlarged detail sectional View of thedraw frame;

' FIG. 6' is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 66 of FIG. 5; T

FIG. 7 is a schematic hydraulic diagram illustrating the operation of various components of the present invention; p

FIG. 8 is a schematic piping diagram of the pneumatic system illustrating the operation of various components of the present invention; and i "FIG. 9 is a schematic electrical diagram illustrating the.

' operation of the present invention. V j

Referring now to the'annexed drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2'; 3 and 4,-itwillbe seen that the machine is comprised of abase lfof the triangular configuration. shown more clearly in FIGiyl. Side frame members'Z and 3 close theends of such triangular base 1 and four corner legs 4, 5, 6 and 7 extend upwardly from the corners of the base with-the pairs of legs'4and 5:

arching over as shown to form a top-frame members and similarly the pairs of legs. 6 and 7 archover to form atop frame member 9. Two arched vertically extending frame members 10 and 11 extend between the topframes 8 and 9 with a top web or plate 12 further rigidifying the squeeze cylinder 13 and its ram 14 extending vertically therefrom. Such top framing 1t), 11 and 1 2 also-supports vertically spaced pairs of bearings 16 and ITwhich in turn receive guide pins 18 and 19 respectively which extend through such framing and aresechred to overhead squeeze frame 20. The rod'14 of the ram or cylinder 13 is also centrally secured to such frame 20 The framing lthll-and 12 also supports bracketsSZS,

and which in turn support a sand hopper 27 laterally adjacent but offset from the overhead squeeze ram 13. Fixed to the pair of legs 4 and 7 are brackets 29 and 30 which support elongated frame members 31 and 32 which in turn have inwardly directed conveyor rollers as shown -at'33 and 34 mounted thereon. These conveyor rollers support a sand carriage 36 for horizontal shuttling movement from a charging to a flask filling position. Such carriage includes a frame 37 having a cutofi plate 38' mounted on the top thereof which has an opening therein, which when the carriage is aligned in the FIG. .1' posi' tion, will permit a charge of sand to fall fromthe hopper 27 through such opening into a sand box 39 which is suspended beneath the carriage 36. The'carriage frame 7 cylinder assemblies 48 and rria 'shown in FIG. 1.

Q 7 l 4 r 49 which operate such louvers through operating bars 50'connectedtorthe rods of such nected thereto and also to the stationary frame member 53j r which is part of the frame 46. The 'piston cylinder';

assemblies 48 and 49 are piyotally mounted on brackets Movementqof the sand be;Ear ingsse mented two piston-cylinder assemblies 69 and 6 1 which are mounted on respective brackets 62 and 63 which are in turn secured respectively, to the top frame 'portions 9 and fromjlits' sand charging toi' its sandrdumping position.

full'linesin'FIG. 1- so .that'the plate will serve asa cut- I head including various types of diaghra'gm squeezeheads may be employed with the present invention.

Thesqueze head carriage frame 31 is provided with I an extension-91 which has a pin 92 which engages with 'a downwardly opening U-shape latch member 93 eX-- r tending from:,the sand carriage frame 37. In this maniston-cylinder assemblies as shown at Sl. The operating v rods pivot thelouvers 52 which are 'pivotallyconi 55fanclf56'which nare part of the frame 46, allof which e are vertically adjustable with respect to the'lcarria ge frame 37.; W

, sand"car'riage frame is not 3 It is noted that the'wear orcutpfi plate 38extends subs t'antially' beyond the; hopper 27 in the position shownin off to prevent further flow of. sand from the hopper.

" 27 when" the sand .boX is in the sand dumping position.

The shuttling movement of the sand carriage. also Serves topos'ition an empty flask in V the niachine'sby' 'i rne'an's of a menu pivotallylmountedq on a depending arm 68which is secured tome sandbox as shown at 69. The latch' arm" 67fis providednwith ai depending catch L or dog 7t) which will catch on the insidefof thefiaslcl {and pull thejsanie along; conveyor rollers 71 which are mountedfon frame membersj 72 which may be in turnff 'm ountdpn'the legs 4" and '7. ';The latch arm.6.7. may" 1 also hep ovided with a"cam,,surface*so thatywhen the rnoved to the fullfline position shown, the; arm Will ride up over the top edge of the flask to drop 3 vintositslatching'position. M g q Thelegs S and 6 similarly support'brackets 75 and 76' respectively which in turn supportconveyor frame mem-: y hers 77an d" 78 having inwardly directedconveyor rollers i and 80 thereon, These conveyor rollers are horizontallysaligned. and support forvhorizo ntal shuttling move "ment'squeezefhead frame 81 having the squeeze head 8Zpendently mounted thereon. Rollers 83 and 84 may 1 befrnounted onfsuchframe about vertically extending axesbearing againsttheconveyor frame members 77 'and 7 8 Vto keep the squ eeze head and squeeze head frame"; properlygaligned in the machine. The frame81 may be 7 provided with a'bo'ttomplate 85 to which is secured the plate} "ofth'e squeezehead 8 2. Any suitable fastening y'b'efmployed to secure the :squeeze head in frame and suchcan readily' be removedif: desired. Ingthe illustrated embodiment; the squeeze head 'o the comprisedof a pl urality of downward-1y projecting cylinders 87,-having pistons ther'ein with the pistonrods 88 projecting therefrom and having squeeze biscuits or feet 8 9 mounted on the distal ends thereof adapted to 1 'eng'age the molding sand within the flask F positioned thefeberiea'thin the full l ine positionlof the squeeze head a r 7 The individual squeeze piston-cylinderv as'sem lies; may be manifolded or individually operated tQobtain different pressures thereon, but in any event, reference inay'be had to the copendingapplication of Ed'-' @mond K. .H'atch'and Leon F. Miller entitled Squeeze Molding Machinej Serial :No. 127,616, filed- July 28, V 11961 for a'inore complete disclosure of squeeze heads-J that may befemployd withthis invention. ,Reference ma'y al'so be hadftothe eopending applicationfof Robert .W E1 1rnsentit1ed- Foundry Molding Machine with Multiple Ai'ea squeegexl-leadjg S erial N o.:: 1 2 6,925 filed July j 25, 19 61 for affif be employed withithe presentinvention; In any event;

hei form ofisqueeze headthat may itfwillfb'e understood that theillustrated squeezehead is shown asfan .eiiarnple only in that any type of squeezeuppermost position.

ner,- as long'as the sand carriage frame and the squeeze head carriagerframe are atthe same llOllZQDlfll elevation, they willbeflatched together for movement as a unit; Howeverfvertical movement or lowering move merit of'the sq ueeze head carriage'frame away from the precluded by this interengagement of the two frames.

Asseen more clearly in FIGJZ, the'squeezeyhead frame 24) 'which 'is mounted on the piston or ram rod 14 includes downwardly projecting side'portions' and W5 each of which has inwardly-directed bottom edge portions as withthe conveyonfrarne members 31 and 32 in the FIG. 1 position,; The omega-shapeframe 20 then pro? vides. the conveyor, framernembers 99 whichhave inward I ly directedgconveyorrollers 100 thereon-which are horizontally' laligned I with the" rollers' ong t'n'e corresponding} I conveyor frame members to, provide La" continuousihoriv zontal conveyor forthe sand1 carriage and squeeze head? carriage-when the-"squeeze frame '20 is intthe raised or.

1 he squeeze head fram'e is provided' an upstanding bracket 102 which includes two adjustable stopscrewsflllii adapted to bear against the squeeze frame 20 when the squeeze head is inthe full line position shown in-FIG; lwhereinfit will be aligned. with the flask F positioned directly therebeneath. ThEi mOVEII'LBHt of the, sand carriageand the squeeze madame-squeeze head" a carriage is thus obtained by means of the pair'ofpistoncylinder' assemblies 6t and 61 and retraction-of such pistoncylinder assembliesiwill cause the sand carriage to v move to the left and the squeeze head and squeeze head; -c arriage latched thereto through the latched mechanism 91 through 93 to move therewith until the stop screws- 103" engage the side. of the squeeze frame 29.

the center-of the framc there is provided a table T-v/hich' hasmounted thereon the conventional pattern P. The

.' table is mounted on jolt piston 119 which fits within jolt cylinder 111 which in turn ismounted in annular cxtension ;1 12 which is mounted on -annular frame 113 within the. base 1. ,The'extension' 112 is provided with opposed ears 11ft and'1 15 which have bearings 116 therein to ac commodatevertically movable aligning pins H7 and 113 .which extend through the piston top ligand are secured ;to the table T-. The annular piston'topspresents a sub- 55 s'tantial mass and firmly supports the table T'thereon. An

air line 120 may be provided supplying air to the blind end of the jolt cylinder 111..

Surrounding ethe table T and the jolt piston-cylinder assembly, thereis provided a cradle frame 13i? comprised i a 137 and 138 positioned at the sides of the machine frame "of two end'frame, members 131 and 132 and two side" frame members 133 and 1 34-." Such frame is mounted on the piston rods136' of two piston-cylinder assemblies with such rods directly supporting the side frame members 133 and 134 (note the detail view of FIG. 5). Each of the sideframe members 133 and 134 is provided at its end with vertically extending short stroke piston-cylinder assemblies 139 and 140. These" short stroke piston-cylinder assemblies, .which may be termed dash'-pots','support horizontally extending conveyor frame members 141 and 142 which haveihWardlYdircted rollers'l43'a nd 144 thereon which are horizontally aligned with the rollers 7,1 inth'e'convybr frame structure '72 when the cradle is r in its uppermost'po'sition as a result of extension of'tlie piston-cylinder assemblies 137 and 138 and as a'result" 'e of the extension of the four short stroke piston-cylinder assemblies 139 and 140. i

7 As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the rods 146 of each of the dash-pots or small piston-cylinder assemblies is provided with a clevis or like'member 147 which is pinned to the respective frame as shown at 148. The cylinder 149 for such piston-cylinder assemblies 139 and 148 may be incorporated as partof the frame 133.

\ A squaring shaft assembly is provided ensuring conjoint operation of the piston-cylinder assemblies 137 and 138, such assembly including a pivot shaft 151 mounted in bearings 152 and 153 or pillow blocks secured to the outside faces of the legs 5 and 6. Arms 154 and 155 keyed to rotate with the shaft are pivotally connected to links 157 which are in turn pivoted tothe side frame able fasteners such as screws 161. Each of the draw pinsv 16% extend up between the rollers 144 on the roller frames mounted on the rods of the piston-cylinder assemblies 1139 and 146 and such draw pins extend to a position slightly below the topsof the rollers in the maximum elevation of such rollers as provided by the pistons 145. Thus elevation of the pistons of the piston-cylinder assemblies 139 and 149 will cause the lower flange of the flask F to rest upon the rollers 144 and when the pistons of such assemblies are retracted through a short stroke,

' e.g. of an inch, the lower flange of the flask will rest on the tops of the draw pins as shown at 162.

When the piston-cylinder assemblies 137 and 138 are fully extended as well as the dash-pots 1339, 14-9, the roll ers 144 will be aligned both with the flask entry rollers 71 and the flask exit rollers 164 mounted on conveyor frames 165 in the same manner that the rollers 71 are mounted on the frame 72. It will, of course, be understood that both the entry and exit flask conveyors need not be attached directly to the machine, but may be part of a separate flask conveying system.

The conveyor frames 142 and 143 may be provided with top guide rails as shown at 167 in FIG. 6 closely to confine the flask flange 163 whereby it will be centered in the machine and aligning pins 169 may be provided properly to center the flask with respect to the table and pattern thereon.

Operation Briefly, referring to FIG. 1, with the cradle frame 13% in its up position and with the four dash-pots 139, 149 also in their up position, the rollers 144% will be aligned with the entry and exit rollers 71 and 1154 respectively. A flask will enter the machine from the left and be hooked by the latch 67 attached to the sand carriage. With the sand box of the sand carriage filled with a sand charge from the hopper 27, the pistoncylinder assemblies 69 and 61 will move the slide cutofl plate and the sand box from the left to the right thus bringing the sand charge and the flask directly over the pattern P positioned on the table T. It will, of course, be realized that this operation will push a finished mold from the machine on the exit rollers 164. In this position, the flask will now be on the rollers 143 and 144 and the sand carriage with the squeeze head latched thereto will now'be directly over the pattern P and the squeeze head will be pushed to the dotted line position shown at 17%) in FIG. 1. While in this positiou, the center roller conveyor section lowers placing the flask directly over the pattern P on the table T and the mold box is thus assembled. The piston-cylinder assemblies 48 and 49 are now energized opening the 6 louvers 52 and the sand charge drops on the pattern and into the flask. At this time, the pattern, flask and sand therein can now be jolted if desired and while this is taking place, the sand carriage moves back to the left when the louvers 52 are closed and the box will be re-' charged with sand from the sand hooper which will fall into the sand box when theopening in the cutoff plate 38 is aligned therewith. It will, of course, be understood that the vertical lowering of the flask away from the sand box releases the latching engagement be-' tween the edge of the flask and the latch member 67. This latch member will, of course, latch on to a new flask when the sand box is moved back to its full line position as shown in FIG. 1. This return of the sand carriage also brings the squeeze head 82 back into the center of the machine until the stop screws 163 contact the frame i 20. Energization now of the stationary overhead squeeze piston-cylinder 13, 14 will move the frame downwardly 176 respectively and the ends of such latching dogs contact adjustable stops 177 and 178 which, when the frame 20 is lowered, permit the latches to swing about their y pivots to block movement of the frame 81 on the'rollers 79 and 8t). Continuedlowering of the squeeze head by actuation of the piston-cylinder assembly 13, 14 causes the shoes 89 to engage the sand and such shoes canreadily conform to the sand surface to squeeze the sand in the flask to the desired uniform hardness. switch as hereinafter described in the hydraulic circuit to the cylinder 13 may be employed to squeeze each sand mold to the same degree of hardness. When the overhead squeeze has been completed, the squeeze frame 29 will be retracted or lifted carrying with it the squeeze head and continued upward movement will cause the stops 177 and 178 to engage the latches 171 and 172 pivoting them to the position shown in FIG. 3 against the pressure of springs 175 and 176 so that the squeeze head will now be free to move laterally on the con veyor rollers 75 and 8t It is noted that'the raising ofthe squeeze head will cause the pin 92 to engage in the latch member 93 again to couple the sand carriage and the squeeze head carriage together for movement as a unit. With the dash-pots 139 and 14d lowered, the draw frame will now be elevated supporting the mold comprised of the flask and sand therein on the four draw pins 16! and elevation of the dash-pots 139, 148 will elevate the rollers 143 and 144 lifting the mold from the draw pins and aligning the conveyor on which the flask rests with the entry and exit conveyors. The,

pattern will be blown and sprayed in the conventional manner and energization of piston-cylinder assemblies 60 and 61 will push the finished mold from the machine.

on the exit conveyor rollers 164 while bringing a new flask F in position for the cycle to be repeated.

For a more detailed description'of the operation, reference may be had to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. In setting up the machine, the main selector switch 209 is turned on v switch 21% energizes holding relay 211 which holds in A pressure 7 for the complete ccyle.

switch'212 which energizes the sand box forward sole- 7 rioid 213 through normally closed switch 21d andclosed v lir'nitswitches' 215, 21 6 and 217. Whentheb'orr reaches I its forward position centered over the flaskl and pattern,

'. it opens limit s'wit'ch 217 deenerg'izing solenoid 213. The

' ilimit switch 217 has another set'of coh'l h 213 which a 4 contacts-217 open energ'izi'rig draw frame dowri' solenoid 2l9 andrelay 220. It will, of course,

Such relay finter 'alia, closes close when" be.understoo'd thatas the sand box comes forward,-it

thefframe rollers' over the pattern and as the frame roll- 7 up is dev eloped by a small 8 gallon pump 261 which sup plies aiconstant pressure at about -300 p .s.i. This com plet es the cycle "except for-the blow o'fl 'and spray of the pattern which will occur when the cycle relay is deenergized by contacts 259" and 261i being actuatedimlt will,

o'fcourse, benoted that various manual switches are em- J ployed throughout to control the functionofitor' exam'pleQ thesqueeze head downsolenoid and the draw frame up-l 10 brings the empty flask wi'th it andplaces the iiaslz on ers arellowered by energization of 'solenoid'f2i9, the a flask will com e torest on thepattern plate and t riplirnit Q 1 switch 221'which'energizes timer 222, jolt solenoid 223" a'ndempty sandboxsolenoid 2Z4. Whenthetimer221 times out, it closes switch 225 series with sand. box reverse solenoid 226. Energization of solenoid 22 l'opens" I the louver sof the sandbox to'du'mp the charge ofsand" in the assembled flask and pattern plate'andf at the same T time the jolt action begins; through the energization of solenoid'223, if ajoltaction is" desired.

"when m sand bonreturn's' throughenergi zat-ion a j solenoidf226, it trips"limithwitchmontact 23tl'iopeni and closesconta'ct 231 energizin'grelay 232 and squeeze head down solenoid "233.: Asth'e'squ'eeze head 'starts down 7 V and 'contacts the moldingsand; the pressure in the hy- 'draulic system increases until the full predetermined pres- --.sure is obtained actuating pressureresponsive switch 234. r The upper contacts of suchswitchdeenergize relief valve 6 "solenoid235 and the closing of the 'lowerjcontacts of the ,pressure switch 234 energizes hold squeeze pressure timer 236 which an delay closes contacts 237; Closing of contacts 237 energizes relay 238 which opens contacts 239- and closes holdingcontacts 240.. The closingof switch. 237 bythe' timer 236 also energizes slow draw timer 241 and relay242. The energization of relay 242 closes switch 243 which is in series with contacts 244 closed by the cycle relay 211 to energize the draw frame up solenoid 2145; and the squeeze head up solenoid 246. The relay 242" also opens contacts 247' in series with the hold pressure on signallight 248which' was energized'by the closthe outletline of the 8 gallon capacity pumpr 2f ll will keep .the higher pressures in the outletoft'the pump'258 from ingot contacts 244 and'243. tRelay'249 in parallel with the signal light M3 is also energized to close, contact 25d which is in series with limit switch contacts'ZSl and 252 operatedby the draw frame and squeeze head being up} The opening of the contacts 2e7, of course, deenergize's the hold pressure on signal light 248 and the'subsequent raising of the squeeze head ordraw frame will close con tacts 251' or 252 to provide a holdingcircuit for relay 249. Relay 242 also opens contacts 253 to deenergize thefdraw frame down solenoid as Well 'asthe squeeze headdown solenoid 233. At the same time as the energiyzation of the relay 242, the solenoid 255 isenergized en- 'surin'g that the dash-pots are in the lower'po sition and that the flask contacts the stripping pins 156. The eneragization of-the solenoids245 and-246 starts the draw frame and squeeze head up and when the timer 241 opens V contacts 256 to deenergiz'e solenoid 257,the'slow draw solenoid 257 willthus be deenergized and the draw frame will continue up at a higher velocity. When the draw 7 frame and squeeze head have reached their maximum po- 7 sition, they will open respectively limit switch contacts V D 259 and 26) to deenergize the cycle relay 211 which, of

course,- opens contacts 212 deenerg'izing the components in series therewith, oneofwhich is the dra w fram'e roller down solenoid 255.

draw frame rollers 144 willbe, raised through the strokes With this solenoid deenergized, the

of the dash-pots to align such rollers with the .entry rollers 71 and exit rollers 164 lifting the flask fromthe draw ins 160 whereby the flask with the'mold therein may be and squeeze? head up solenoids whereby the machinemay be operated' m'anually by suehfoverride switches. More-" over, various emergency stop switches arealso provided.

Referring now irnore' particularly jtoFIG. 7, it willbe' seen that the hydraulic system .is comprised of a reservoir 265 which may be, for example, 1350 gallon tank which "tpplies'throughfilters2&6 and 267 the '8 gallon per min-- ute pumpZL a 25 gallon per minute pump 268, 'ai75' L gallon-per'minute pump 26% and a 25-gallon per minute pump 27d? of such pumps are driven frohr the pump motor 2491., The outlet of thie pump 258 leadstthrough a flow control "valve "271 ;.-thr'ough pressure switch 234 cause the squeeze head .to move Idownrapidly,

Relief valve 276 provided in the outlet of pump 2 58 which isfoperated by solenoid 235;such1 valve being. in series with anunlo'ad'ing valve"277'which' may beset, for.

example, to unload at 1 500 p.s'.i.;' A check valve 2'78 in moving into the outlet of the pump 261. An. unloading valve 279 'setto unload, for'example, at 300' psi. may be provided in the'outletof pump 261. The 8 galloncapacity pump 261 will maintain the entire system at approximately 300 psi. 'In. addition to: the two valves 272 and 273, the high volumepump 269 supplyingifluid t at approximately 75 gallons per minute will serve initially a tosupply fluid through' lines 28%} 231' of the" squeeze headt to bring it down rapidly and when the squeeze bis-1; V cults 89. contact the sand, the pressure in the system will:

increase and at approximately' 500,p.s.i., the unloading valve 232 willunload transferring the operation of the systemto the low volume higher pressure pumps 268 and 279; The, unloading valve 283 may be set to unload at approximately lfifii) psi. and a relief valve 284rnay also be employed operated by a solenoid 285 which may be operated simultaneously With the relief valve solenoid 23 5. Fluid'may also; be supplied through line 286 hav-- ing a 300 p.s.i.-unloading valve 287 therein through a double solenoid operated'four-way open centervalve 288 j b which operates the cradle or draw frame lift. cylinders 137 and 13% *The valve 288 may be operated by solenoids 2 l5 and 21% selectively to raise and lower the draw frame;

13l having the flask F thereonj: The solenoid 'operated spring return shut-ofi valve 239'operated by solenoid 257 1,

is provided in a line 290 in parallel with a restriction 291,

Itcan readily be seen that the initial energizationfl in the draw of solenoid 257 will block the line 2% forcing all of the fluid through'the restriction 291 to obtain the initial slow draw. When the timer 241 times outopening switch contacts256 deenergizing solenoid 257, the fluid will'pass shuttled from the machine on the eriit conveyor. It is V noted that'relay 249 will maintain solenoids 2%. and'245 energized between cyclesthrough the main 2597 and the pressure for maintaining the draw frame and squeeze head v through bypass line'29ti completing the draw at the higher p e -f r H As seen in FIG. '8, air under pressure rnaybesupplied from a source Meat approximately pounds per square inch and such airiwill pass through line 361 into a four way solenoid operated valve 3M} controlled by solenoids 213 and 226which supply air selectively to the blind and V rod ends of the piston-cylinder assemblies 60 and 61 to obtain movement of the sand carriage and the squeeze head. A line 393 connects the source 360 with a fourway spring return solenoid operated valve 394 which is operated by solenoid 224 to control the operation of the piston-cylinder assemblies 43 and 4a to open and close the sand box louvers. Line 3tl5 connects the source 3M) with a two-way or shutoff spring return solenoid operated valve 3% which is operated by solenoid 223 to control the operation of the jolt piston 11%. A line 30'! conmeets the source 309 with a four-way solenoid operated valve 3'68 operated by solenoid 255 to control the operation of the four dash-pots 13%, 149 to raise and lower the draw frame rollers from the drawing pins 169.

It can now be seen that there is provided a foundry molding machine capable of an extremely fast cycle with such machine cycle including an optional jolt in addition to a mechanical overhead squeeze. Such overhead squeeze is provided by a stationary overhead squeeze piston. The shuttling of the sand charge into the flask charge position from the fill position temporarily removes the squeeze head from the squeeze ram and replaces it when the sand box moves back to the fill position whereby the squeeze head will be in position properly to squeeze the thus sand charged machine. Moreover, with the present invention, it is possible to employ a multiplicity of various squeeze heads to obtain the desired squeeze action. With the mechanical squeeze, a uniform predetermined squeezing pressure may be applied mechanically to the top surface of the sand mold. Once the predetermined squeeze pres sure is obtained, it can be held through the use of a timer before the squeeze head is removed and the mold drawn. This holding action may be employed to permit squeeze heads having relatively movable sand engaging portions (cg. multiple pistons, diaphragms) properly to adjust to apply such predetermined pressure uniformly over the surface of the sand mold. With other type squeeze heads, such brief holding of the pressure will also produce better quality molds. Also, it will be seen that the shuttling movement of the sand charge is additionally employed to charge the machine with empty flasks and remove the completed molds.

It will, of course, be understood that the machine may be employed with the jolt action only, or vice versa, it may be employed with the mechanical squeeze action only do pending upon the requirements of the particular foundry.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the de= tails described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

We, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A foundry molding machine comprising a frame, a squeeze piston cylinder assembly secured to an upper portion of said frame, a squeeze head support, and a squeeze frame secured to the piston of said squeeze piston cylinder assembly for vertical movement therewith, said squeeze frame comprising a horizontally extending conveyor section, a squeeze head, means to shuttle said squeeze head from said support onto said conveyor section for vertical movement with said piston and squeez frame, and means to prevent horizontal displacement of said squeeze head during such vertical movement.

2. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said squeeze frame comprises an omega-shape frame having inwardly directed flask supporting rollers on the legs thereof.

3. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 1 including a sand box operatively connected to said squeeze head for shuttling movement therewith into and out of a position vertically beneath said piston on said conveyor section, and means rcleasably connecting said squeeze head and sand box whereby said squeeze head may thus move vertically with said conveyor section.

10 4. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 3 including means to movea flask with said sand boxto position the same vertically beneath said piston whensai sand box is thus positioned. g

' 5. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 4 including support means for such flask thus positioned,

and means to lower said support means to assemble such flask with a pattern plate to form'a mold box. I

6. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 5 including jolt means supporting such assembled flask and pattern plate, and means responsive to the assemblage of such flask and pattern plate to empty such sand box and then jolt the thus filled mold box.

7. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 6 including means responsive to a predetermined time delay after the emptying of said sand box to remove said sand box and replace it with said squeeze head on said conveyor section.

8. A foundry molding machine asset forth in claim 7 including means responsive to the position of'said squeeze head vertically beneath said pistonoperative' to energize said squeeze piston cylinder assembly to move said conveyorsection and thus said squeeze head downwardly. V

9. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 8 including means responsive to a predetermined-increase in pressure in the fluid system of said squeeze piston cylinder assembly further; to increase the pressure therein until a predetermined squeeze pressure is obtained on the sand within such mold box.

ll). A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 9 including means responsive to a predetermined interval of application of such squeeze pressure to reverse the operation of said squeeze piston cylinder assembly to raise said conveyor section and thus said squeeze head.

11. A foundry molding machine comprising an upstanding frame, a squeeze ram assembly fixedly mounted on I the upper portion of such frame, a horizontally movable squeeze head, means to shuttle said squeeze head to a position vertically beneathsaid ram for vertical movement therewith whereby said squeeze head will be operative to squeeze sand within a mold box vertically positioned therebeneath, and means to maintain said head beneath said ram during such vertical movement.

12. A foundry'molding machine, comprising a machine means in the up position of said ram adapted to receive said sand box or squeeze head.

13. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 12. including means to move a flask horizontally with said sand box to position such flask vertically beneath said ram on said conveyor section.

14. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 12 including means responsive to the vertical movement of said squeeze frame to latch said squeeze head in said squeeze frame to preclude relative horizontal movement of said squeeze frame and squeeze head.

15. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 12. wherein said squeeze head comprises a plurality of sand engaging surfaces, each vertically movable with respect to the other.

16. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 12 includingme'ans laterally adjacent said ram to fill said sand box with sand.

17. A foundry molding machine as set forth in claim 16 whe'rfiin said means to fllsaid sand box with saridi-corn Rfereaicesilited in thefile of this patent prise sa'sandphut e, said'sand boxincludi fig' a cuioff plate 1 j U TED STATES PATENTS fwhich mbves with said sand box and cloes said chute f V i Whe'n s aid sand box is poitipnedbencathsaid ram. V Y a 2,535,345v Q 9.54 181A f 'undry molding machine *as slet forthifi claim 17 5 7 *T QQ --'-1-- 06323, 1956' including means to; dump the sand from-said sand box Y 3 7, "B 17958 autbm'zitically' in response to "the-assemblage of a flask" 2 8 2 -v June 1959v andpat terhiherebeneath. i, i 2;V 59,82 8" Frankenstein 3Nov.15,196O 19 .Q A bimdry: molding machine asgset forth in claini 2,953,346 Mills? I Jail 1961 l-2 wherin said squeeze frame cdrqpl iss an omega-shape 10 3 5 n in -Y 1 "rilembepwithsap id ain securdcefltrally thereto. f 7 3,325,573 9 v 

11. A FOUNDRY MOLDING MACHINE COMPRISING AN UPSTANDING FRAME, A SQUEEZE RAM ASSEMBLY FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SUCH FRAME, A HORIZONTALLY MOVABLE SQUEEZE HEAD, MEANS TO SHUTTLE SAID SQUEEZE HEAD TO A POSITION VERTICALLY BENEATH SAID RAM FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT THEREWITH WHEREBY SAID SQUEEZE HEAD WILL BE OPERATIVE TO SQUEEZE SAND WITHIN A MOLD BOX VERTICALLY POSITIONED THEREBENEATH, AND MEANS TO MAINTAIN SAID HEAD BENEATH SAID RAM DURING SUCH VERTICAL MOVEMENT. 